College of Business Administration/Division of MBA Studies, Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN - Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN

Academics

The MBA Studies offers the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Other programs include joint research. The strongest areas of study are management information systems, financial accounting, operations management, and entrepreneurship. Regular programs bring distinguished speakers and visiting professors to campus. The Executive Seminar Series brings prominent business leaders and politicians to campus.

Thirty-six total credits are required to complete the MBA, including 12 elective credits. Required courses include:

Accounting Information for Management Decisions
Financial Management
Analytical Decision Making
Strategic Marketing Management
Organizational Leadership
Management of Information Technology
Business Strategy
Business Consulting and Research

Business students may take relevant nonbusiness courses in other departments. The minimum time permitted to complete the master’s degree program attending full time is 3 semesters; maximum, 6 years. For students attending part time, the maximum is 6 years.

In a recent year, there were 29 total full-time graduate business faculty, all of whom held a doctorate. Faculty salaries are rated below average for Category IIA institutions, based on the AAUP rating system. Average number of credit hours faculty teach is 9; average business class size is 23.

Admissions

A bachelor’s degree is required, along with a GPA of 2.5 and a GMAT score of 450. The formula for using the GPA and GMAT scores is (200 x GPA) + GMAT, or minimum 1000. Most important admissions factors are academic accomplishments and ability, GMAT results, and letters of recommendation. A strong mathematics background is required.

The number of applicants for in a recent year, was 104; 95 were accepted; 67 enrolled. The average GPA was 3.3; average GMAT score was 586. Transfers are accepted. Minority students are actively recruited by offering graduate minority fellowships and graduate assistantships.

Students may begin the MBA program in the fall, spring, and summer. To apply, students must submit an application form, a transcript, GMAT scores, a nonrefundable application fee of $25, and 1 letter of recommendation. An interview in person or by telephone is required. The application deadlines are August 3 for fall entry; December 1, spring; May 4, summer. Students are notified within 1 month after all material is received of the admissions decision. The latest acceptable test date for fall entry is June. Once accepted, students may defer admission.

Financial Aid

Stipends and programs available for minority students include, graduate assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. The FAFSA is recommended. Check with the school for current application deadlines.

Tuition for in-state residents is $5138 per year. Nonresidents pay $9694 per year. On-campus room and board costs approximately $5000; books and supplies, $800; and other fees, $3082, for an estimated annual total of $14,020 for in-state residents and $18,576 for out-of-state residents. Graduate student housing is available on and off campus. There is a referral service to help procure off-campus housing.

Students

Fifty-seven percent of a recent graduate business school class were enrolled full time; 59% had an average of 4 years of full-time work experience prior to entering graduate school. The greatest percentage of students were from Tennessee (97%). Thirty-nine percent were women, 9% were minorities, and 6% were foreign nationals. The average age at entrance was 28; ages ranged from 20 to 55. Thirty-nine percent entered directly from undergraduate school; 5% already have a graduate degree. Students’ undergraduate majors were as follows: 47%, business; 15%, engineering; 14%, math and science; 11%, liberal arts; 3%, social sciences; and 2%, economics.